June 16, 2001

• City allows water rules to expire
  Complaints over relatively tough restrictions persuade officials not to renew emergency rules.

June 15, 2001

• Watering cases flood into courts
  As fines for watering illegally have more than doubled, citations have skyrocketed and the lines at court are out the door.

June 11, 2001

• Rains help squelch Florida's wildfires
  The onset of Florida's summer rains is bringing relief from weeks of wildfires all over the state.

June 9, 2001

• Desal no longer a dirty word
  Desalination, pooh-poohed as risky and too expensive just a few years ago, has become "the great wet hope."

June 5, 2001

• County pushes native trees
  An ordinance would require replacing chopped-down trees with native flora. The plan would help conserve water, officials say.

June 4, 2001

• Couple's new yard defies severe drought
  After losing two lawns in four years to dry conditions, the Stanishes have turned to plants native to Florida.
• Rivalry spills over into issues of water
  Oldsmar's mayor and former mayor have traded jabs before. The current controversy centers on whether there actually is a water crisis.

June 3, 2001

• Amid drought, passion blossoms
  A society promoting Florida flora says growing such plants helps save water. But the plants may be harder to find at gardening stores.

June 2, 2001

• Big rain, bigger smiles
  For the first time in two months, the Tampa Bay area received substantial rainfall Friday, with up to 2 inches falling in some areas.
• Relentless drought boosts desal
  Tampa Bay Water officials are investigating the construction of up to two more desalination plants in Pinellas County.

June 1, 2001

• Pastors' advice: Pray it will rain
  Prayer sessions are called to combat the drought. One church even plans rain dances and tells worshipers: Bring umbrellas.
• In midst of drought, look for water-saving measures
  We did have a nice spring, but now the summer weather has hit with a vengeance. Between the heat, wind and drought, our landscapes are being fried. My lawn is so dry it crackles when I walk on it. The sprinklers just don't put out enough water to wet the soil thoroughly on my watering day. If we don't have rain soon, green grass will be but a fond memory.

May 30, 2001

• Window opens a bit on state's rainy season
  The weather system that heralds Florida's summer storms may bring rain -- and wildfire relief -- as early as this weekend.

May 28, 2001

• Monstrous swamp fire springs back
  Hot and dry weather continues to feed the North Florida fire, as it roars over 60,000 acres.

May 27, 2001

• More eyes watch water use
  Pasco has added about 130 county employees to its lineup of water restriction enforcers.
• Relief may come for parched suburbs
  But not soon. Officials are talking about bringing reclaimed water lines to New Tampa, but estimates put it around 2007 or 2008.

May 26, 2001

• Ignore the water-rule enforcers; use micros
  Wouldn't this have made a nifty story: The water police giving a ticket to the head of the county's water department for violating watering restrictions?

May 25, 2001

• More eyes watch water use
  Pasco County has added about 130 county employees to its lineup of water restriction enforcers.
• Kids getting water-saving education
  Water officials are teaching schoolchildren about conservation through a spoof of the Three Little Pigs.

May 22, 2001

• Is prayer the only answer to drought?
  The governor describes the drought as perilous as wildfires rage across the state.

May 22, 2001

• Good news! Demand for water drops
  Tampa Bay Water says the city is returning to self-reliant status and demand on its well fields was down for April.
• Fire crews mop up as rains aim to tease
  The drought persists, but a little rain is forecast as firefighters bring blazes under control.

May 20, 2001

• City will enforce water restrictions
  Pinellas Park intends to crack down on violators of water rules that are the same as in unincorporated Pinellas County.
• Drought-driven device brings boy award
  The "Water Miser" propels a fourth-grade student to the finals in a nationwide young inventor's competition.

May 18, 2001

• Swiftmud lifts deadline for Rolling Oaks
  The elimination of the 2004 deadline for water conservation will probably kill Rolling Oaks' request for a rate increase intended to help cut consumption.
• Safety Harbor may tap spring for fountain
  A pipe already runs from the spring and can feed the planned fountain, thus conserving drinking water.
• Wildfire reined in; parkway reopens
  Only smoldering embers remain, but fire officials say they will keep an eye on the area.

May 13, 2001

• Expense, shame reign in dry times
  TAMPA PALMS -- Like a lot of homeowner groups, the Tampa Palms Owners Association is not shy about taking residents to task for breaking the rules.

May 11, 2001

• Mother knows best, except on watering lawn
  While house-sitting, she waters on the wrong days. Tickets pile up, so her son has a date with a judge.

May 8, 2001

• Largo needs reclaimed-water users
  The program is losing money. The city considers paying initial hookup costs to attract more customers.

May 6, 2001

• Sip by sip, guzzlers try to cut water use
  Some of Pinellas' biggest consumers say it will be difficult to conserve more than they already have.
• Watering confusion results in tickets
  A housesitter is cited for watering a lawn inside the city on the day designated for county residents.
• Drought provides opportunities, too
  Dry conditions hamper routine aquatic weed control. Instead, county workers can spend time cleaning up lake beds.

May 4, 2001

• Baker tightens watering limits
  Too much drawing on the reclaimed water system drains the supply to nothing, prompting the mayor to declare an emergency.
• Many water citations don't stick
  Of the people who came to hearings to challenge their watering citations, one in three left without paying fines.
• Low-flow rebate program touted
  Pinellas County Utilities wants to pay residents to install low-flow toilets to save water. The utilities director will run the plan by commissioners May 15.

May 1, 2001

• City tells county: Watering deal is off
  Tampa says it won't enforce Hillsborough's watering rules unless they are uniform.

April 29, 2001

• Cutting water use not easy for board
  Pinellas commissioners struggle to get their own water bills below the county's average of 8,000 gallons per month.
• Fines for watering may be revised
  To help make watering rules more fair, the county is considering a stepped scale of fines for violators.

April 27, 2001

• Stinky fish kill not a danger
  A Hillsborough county scientist says a fish kill was caused by the drought, coupled with last month's heavy rainfall.

April 22, 2001

• Water may be scarce, but rules flow freely
  The labyrinth of watering regulations has foiled the good intentions of many water users.

April 20, 2001

• City tightens grip on water tap
  Backyard carwashing is now banned, as is some pressure washing. No-fine warnings are now a thing of the past.
• Officials like state water storage plan
  Most Pasco officials praise the Senate bill that allows for underground storage of untreated surplus water during the rainy season.

April 19, 2001

• 'A firestorm like I've never seen'
  The weather concocts ideal conditions for a fire that drove up to 200 people from their homes and paralyzed traffic on I-75.
• Staffers water end run fails
  The Pinellas staff floats an idea in Tallahassee to curtail fines for water use before getting County Commission approval.
• Golf course still exceeds its water limit
  Sherman Hills Golf Club, in Ridge Manor West, has moved closer to receiving a fine.
• Quick -- which is your day to water?
  A survey finds that most Tampa water customers asked that question are clueless, despite a public information campaign.
• Tarpon tweaks water rates
  Only those who use the most water will end up paying more, starting May 1, under a measure passed by the commission.
• Soon, lawns may look thirstier
  New Port Richey's new water limits are meant to help it fulfill orders to reduce use by 5 percent.

April 17, 2001

• During drought, extremes emerge
  Some Pinellas residents conserve every drop they can. Others, however, defy water restrictions for the sake of their lawns.
• Critics: Aquifer at risk from proposal
  While some fear contamination from plans to pump in untreated water, supporters say it will save millions.
• Water board proposes more pumping
  Part of Tampa Bay Water's plan includes using water from under Pasco to resaturate well fields dried by overpumping.

April 16, 2001

• During drought, extremes emerging
  While some Pinellas residents conserve every drop they can, their neighbors are defying the law and sprinkling away.
• Despite drought, Pinellas valves spit out water
  State law requires that county pipes be purged of stagnant water, which may lose its disinfectant.

April 14, 2001

• Rain pushes down water usage
  Heavy rains and less lawn watering contribute to a decrease from March 2000 consumption, records show. More restrictions will come as the drought continues.

April 13, 2001

• Drought concerns drain popular Largo fountain
  The spouting fixture at Central Park uses up to 20,000 gallons every week.
• Tough water choices lie ahead
  Water utility representatives find themselves in a difficult negotiating position in trying to kill a new well field.

April 12, 2001

• Senate okays aquifer storage bill
  The EPA and activists have raised concerns about pumping tainted water into the drinking water supply.

April 10, 2001

• Swiftmud will crunch water use numbers again
  The agency was ready to impose water conservation rates on the county utility until it asked for a re-evaluation.
• Utilities chief says Swiftmud plan poor
  The 5-percent cut in water use is hard to verify, Pick Talley says, noting residents have cut average usage by 28 percent since 1990.

April 9, 2001

• Still won’t flush? Call the toilet tinkerer
  Plumbers get so many complaints, they fiddle with the flappers and flush more water.

April 6, 2001

• County hunts water wasters
  Pinellas will pay overtime to 47 employees to enforce restrictions around the clock.
• Mayor gets keys to sprinklers
  St. Petersburg's newly constituted council gives the new mayor the power to declare emergencies involving recycled water.

April 5, 2001

• Firefighters, winds clear motorists' way
  Interstate 4 travelers get a break, thanks to partial containment and shifting winds. But blazes persist.
• Drought won't hinder rezoning in Hillsborough
  Officials pass conservation measures but balk at denying rezoning on the basis of water woes.

April 3, 2001

• 'Rocket' water court more like a slow stream
  More than 200 people fighting drought citations did more waiting than pleading in Tampa's first attempt to speed up hearings.
• Squirt is gone from fountain landmark
  The city's roundabout fountain still has a pool, but the 30-foot streams have ceased in an effort to reduce water use.

April 1, 2001

• The water enforcers
  Prowling the streets in the darkness of night, water cops often hear and smell illegal watering before they see it. And the excuses? They've heard them all.
• Public input asked on new area water sources
  ST. PETERSBURG -- A public hearing Tuesday in St. Petersburg invites residents to speak up about how future water supplies should be selected for the Tampa Bay area.

March 31, 2001

• March rain slakes tenacious drought
  The end of March glimmered with rain and hope for an improved drought index in Florida. (See graphic at right.)
• County: Wilting beats watering
  Hillsborough's conservation proposals include easing pressure on residents of new deed-restricted neighborhoods to water their lawns.

March 30, 2001

• Tampa tightens water rules
  TAMPA -- The City Council on Thursday agreed to tighten water restrictions to combat the drought.
• Rain, twisters lash Florida
  Most damage is north of the Tampa Bay area, which soaks up much- needed precipitation.

March 24, 2001

• Tampa becomes ground zero on drought
  A task force charged with creating solutions to the state's two-year drought casts a wary eye on the dried up Hillsborough River.

March 23, 2001

• Citrus water restrictions
  The following water use restrictions are in place for Citrus residents:

March 22, 2001

• Officials say it's time to live with drought, restrictions
  Emergency rules from water regulators signal a change in how the area deals with water.

March 21, 2001

• Tampa Bay Water gets restrictions in lieu of fines
  Swiftmud could have levied millions of dollars for pumping permit violations. But the board is dictating numerous conditions and has not ruled out fines.

March 20, 2001

• City: Water violators beware
  All city employees on the road have been authorized to hand out warnings to people who ignore watering rules.
• Brief rain helpless against drought
  Days of rain won't do it. The area needs weeks, if not months, of steady rainfall to pry loose the grip of this stubborn dry spell.
• Drizzle fails to put dent in drought
  Not enough rain falls to lift a burning ban or fill the aquifer, but it does help somewhat with the threat of brush fires.
• Rain’s hardly fair weather; few frown as many rejoice
  The much needed downpours limit activities to the indoors on Monday.

March 18, 2001

• Wanted: aggressive strategy to solve Florida water woes
  Donald Trump must be quaking in his golf shoes.

March 17, 2001

• County to raise water fines
  Faced with a state order to reduce water consumption by 5 percent, Pasco County plans to double fines for lawn watering scofflaws.
• Water users: No one-size-fits-all fixes
  Pasco is doubling fines. Pinellas wants no changes. The Tampa Bay Water members want to keep some autonomy.
• Drought’s upside: dredging time
  The county hopes to scoop more than 131,600 truckloads of muck from the bottom of the Tsala Apopka lake chain while the lake levels are low.

March 16, 2001

• Council eases limits on reclaimed water
  A ban on new hookups is lifted and the council hopes to give the mayor more control over water emergencies.

March 13, 2001

• Water plan splits haves, have-nots
  Opinions vary from county to county as officials get a look at a proposal by Swiftmud to offset overpumping by Tampa Bay Water.

March 11, 2001

• Residents weigh in with 'water hog' remedies
  Hillsborough officials are gathering conservation options to present to the County Commission on March 27.

March 9, 2001

• Swiftmud drafts water ultimatum
  The emergency order would save Tampa Bay Water from severe fines for exceeding pumping limits.
• Weather dries out tolerance for burning
  TAMPA -- Fire investigator Hector Noyas spotted the column of smoke as he filled his city car with gas at Fire Station I in downtown Tampa.

March 9, 2001

• Parched
  Wells and waterways are running dry around the state, but experts say the worst of the drought is yet to come.
• Swiftmud may lower banks of two rivers
  The aim is to retain excess river water that otherwise empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The water would rehydrate wetlands and help renew underground water supplies.
• Ban on new reclaimed water hookups may end
  If the proposal is approved, new hookups would be allowed only on streets that already have reclaimed water lines.

March 4, 2001

• County staff queries public about water crisis
  Residents who attend a meeting Thursday can comment on water-conservation options and make their own suggestions for dealing with the drought.

March 2, 2001

• Water rates to rise in April
  Drought contributes to a 5 percent increase. That will cost an average customer $8 a year -- with more raises on the horizon.

Feb. 24, 2001

• State, federal officials plan for worst as drought lingers
  WASHINGTON -- A team of Florida disaster specialists met with federal emergency officials Friday to brief them on the wildfires and drought tearing through the heart of the state, and what could happen if conditions do not improve.

Feb. 23, 2001

• Bush seeks help with drought
  With Florida getting drier, the governor sends a team to Washington to assess the damage and the future.
• Officials: We want depth of water woes explored
  Code enforcers want to bypass warnings and just start fining scofflaws. But commissioners want Swiftmud to reconcile conflicting statements about the water supply.

Feb. 17, 2001

• Drought enables weed removal
  When low water levels prevent county workers from clearing the channels in the Tsala Apopka chain, they tackle a project that has been discussed for years.

Feb. 14, 2001

• Citrus watering restrictions
  The following water use restrictions are in place for Citrus residents:

Feb. 10, 2001

• Despite rainfall, normal water levels still far off
  All the rain of last weekend had a noticeable change to the drought maps, but don't be fooled. The North Suncoast still needs rain.